Getting ready to relocate to a new city or state? Whether you are moving from Vegas to California or Vegas to Florida (or anywhere else), the team at Move 4 Less is here to help. Selecting a long-distance moving company might seem like a daunting task, but before you start calling movers, check out this handy list about moving companies.
1. The Early Bird Gets The Worm
While birds and worms have nothing to do with long-distance moves, this old adage definitely applies to hiring movers. As soon as you know you will be moving, start calling long-distance moving companies, get some quotes and pick your favorite.
You typically can save a bit of money, if you book as soon as possible. Wait until the last minute, and not only will you pay more, you are unlikely to get the pick of the litter, so to speak. Those who act earlier tend to end up with a better moving company and a slightly lower cost.
2. Moving Isn’t Cheap
While we pride ourselves on our affordable rates, our name after all is Move 4 Less; a long-distance move is not inexpensive. The rate you pay will depend upon several factors. This includes the amount of items that will be shipped, the type of items and the total distance traveled.
For instance, if you are hiring us for a cross-country move, this takes several days and an abundance of fuel, which isn’t cheap. The moving company also will provide accommodations and food for the movers, and while we don’t book rooms at the Waldorf Astoria or munch on bone-in filet mignon, taking good care of our employees comes with a price tag.
Of course, there’s also the general cost of loading up and unloading the moving truck. Additional costs might be incurred if you have delicate items such as a piano or artwork that needs to be crated. Overall, you can expect to pay at least $4,500 on average for a long-distance move.
This figure could be slightly less or it could be quite a bit more, again, depending on the scope of your move. A move from Las Vegas to the East Coast, for example, will be pricier than a move from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Moving a 1,500-square-foot home, as another example, generally will cost less than moving the contents of a 3,500-square-foot home.
3. Seasons Change & So Do Moving Costs
It’s worth noting that most people tend to move during the summer months, and this means that a summertime move will be your most expensive option. If you can schedule a move outside the summer months, you might be able to save some money.
Obviously, you may have no control over the dates when you can move, so scheduling the move as early as possible and looking for other ways to cut costs are your best options if you do need a summer move.
4. DIY Moves Have A Downside
Ok, so now you’ve read that last point and your head is trying to wrap itself around the $4,500 figure. We get it, that’s a lot of money. But you have to consider what you get for that amount.
Typically, two or three movers are included with that price, and these individuals load up the truck, keep your belongings safe along the journey and then unload at the final destination. Loading up an entire household is a big job, and even a local move easily might run $1,000 or more depending on the scope of the move.
When you pay professional movers, you not only relieve yourself the strain of unloading heavy furnishings, we also pack the truck properly, which greatly reduces the likelihood that your items will be damaged during transport.
With any move, the person who hires us has a lot on their plate. Moving, even if you never lift a single piece of furniture, is a stressful and difficult proposition. With a long-distance move, our clients have even more tasks to handle so hiring professional movers just make sense as it relieves you of one huge burden in the moving process.
5. Not Every Long-Distance Moving Company Is Stellar
There are many long-distance moving companies, but they don’t all provide you with amazing services. It’s smart to ask friends and family for recommendations and to look at reviews before selecting a company.
It’s also a good idea to contact several companies and get a few estimates before making your decision. Each company should be licensed for interstate moves, so be sure to ask about licenses and insurance. Typically, most companies will post this information on their trucks or on their websites. If they don’t, this is a huge red flag.
Another huge red flag might occur when you first contact a company. If the representative on the phone doesn’t answer the phone using the company name or uses a different company name, this is a red flag. Less-than-professional companies often change their names to escape from a myriad of bad reviews and complaints.
6. You Need To Purchase Moving Insurance
With most moves, you have three insurance options. The cheapest option is Released Value insurance. This is typically free and is included with your move. Of course, free insurance, just as one would expect, doesn’t provide a high level of coverage.
Released Value insurance covers items based upon their weight, and each pound is worth no more than 60 cents. For instance, let’s say you have a 20-pound table worth $500 that is damaged in the move. At 20 pounds, the most compensation you would receive would be $12, hardly enough to replace the broken item.
Your best option are to either purchase Full Value Protection from the moving company or to find a reputable third-party moving insurance company and secure a policy from them. To learn more about our Full Value Protection and third-party insurance, check out our insurance page at https://www.move4lessnevada.com/services/insurance/.
7. We Have Coupons
At Move 4 Less, we do understand that moving is an expensive proposition and, as our name suggests, we always offer you the best rates and also offer some special deals. We sometimes offer seasonal specials, and you can find coupons under the Company tab on our homepage.
These coupons change periodically, but they might include discounts such as a 5% discount for Seniors and Military families or perhaps free boxes or other discounts. Just print out the coupon and show it to us and we can apply your discount. If you use another company, don’t forget to check if they have coupons or special discounts, such as an AAA discount. It never hurts to ask, and you might save quite a bit of money.
8. You Can Reduce Moving Costs
There are many ways to lower your moving costs. For instance, finding sources of free boxes and packing materials can save you hundreds of dollars. Look on sites such as Facebook and Craigslist for free boxes and head to retail shops and grocery stores to ask for extra boxes. Keep any boxes that you receive from Amazon and other retailers.
It costs more to move more, so reducing the amount of items you own can help lower your overall moving costs. Give away furnishings, appliances, clothing and other items that you no longer need and you definitely will see some savings.
For instance, if your new home already includes a washer and dryer, sell your current models. Not only will you earn a few dollars in the sale, you may also lower your moving costs. Anything you can sell will be money you can put toward the moving expenses, and getting rid of your “stuff,” makes moving into your new place easier, too.
Packing your items yourself also can reduce the cost of moving. We offer packing and unpacking services, and are happy to help, but if you are able to pack and do it yourself, this can be a way to reduce your overall costs. If you need an experienced, qualified long-distance moving company, give Move 4 Less a call today. We can provide you with a free detailed estimate of our services, and will do our best to keep your costs as low as possible without sacrificing quality.
